Simulated Firearm Having A Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus that simulates a firearm includes a simulated firearm housing and a multiple integrated laser engagement system (MILES) device. The simulated firearm housing simulates the appearance of an actual firearm. The MILES device is housed in and integrated within the simulated firearm housing. A MILES circuit portion detects a triggering event. A transmitter transmits a MILES signal in response to the triggering event, the MILES signal representing a bullet fired from the actual firearm.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/898,886, entitled “Simulated Firearmfor a Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System,” Attorney's Docket077443.0116, filed Feb. 1, 2007, by Giles D. Jones et al.

GOVERNMENT FUNDING

The U.S. Government may have certain rights in this invention asprovided for by the terms of Contract No. N61339-00-D-0001 awarded bythe Naval Air Warfare Center, Training Systems Division for the ProgramExecutive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEOSTRI).

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure generally relates to firearm training devices, and moreparticularly to a simulated firearm having a multiple integrated laserengagement system.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Training places individuals in simulated situations in order to developappropriate responses in those situations. For example, soldiers mayparticipate in training exercises in order to prepare for actual combatsituations.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus thatsimulates a firearm includes a simulated firearm housing and a multipleintegrated laser engagement system (MILES) device. The simulated firearmhousing simulates the appearance of an actual firearm. The MILES deviceis housed in and integrated within the simulated firearm housing. AMILES circuit portion detects a triggering event. A transmittertransmits a MILES signal in response to the triggering event, the MILESsignal representing a bullet fired from the actual firearm.

Certain embodiments of the invention may provide one or more technicaladvantages. A technical advantage of one embodiment may be that asimulated firearm has a multiple integrated laser engagement system(MILES) device that emits a MILES signal representing a bullet. TheMILES device is integrated into the simulated firearm.

Certain embodiments of the invention may include none, some, or all ofthe above technical advantages. One or more other technical advantagesmay be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures,descriptions, and claims included herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of embodiments of the disclosure will beapparent from the detailed description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a simulated firearm with a housingthat simulates the appearance of an actual firearm;

FIG. 2 illustrates embodiments of a triggering mechanism and a multipleintegrated laser engagement (MILES) device that may be used with thesimulated firearm of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a more detailed view of the triggering mechanism ofFIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate one embodiment of a MILES device configuredwithin a sonic suppressor of a simulated firearm;

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate another embodiment of a MILES deviceconfigured within a flash suppressor of a simulated firearm; and

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate another embodiment of a MILES deviceconfigured within a simulated firearm that simulates an actual handgun.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a simulated firearm 10 with ahousing 20 that simulates the appearance of an actual firearm. Asdescribed below, simulated firearm 10 has a multiple integrated laserengagement system (MILES) device that is configured to transmit a MILESsignal in response to detecting a triggering event. The MILES signalrepresents a bullet that may be fired from the actual firearm. The MILESdevice is integrated into the simulated firearm.

Simulated firearm 10 may simulate any suitable actual firearm. Examplesof actual firearms include Maschinenpistole 5 (MP5),

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(AK-47), Heckler & Koch GmbH G3, Messier 92 (M92), and other shotgun,sub-machine gun, and handgun firearms. In this particular embodiment,simulated firearm 10 simulates a Maschinenpistole 5 (MP5) firearm. Inone embodiment, simulated firearm 10 may be a commercial off the shelf(COTS) simulated firearm. Examples of such simulated firearms includetoy or replica firearms or air guns. In one embodiment, simulatedfirearm 10 may be unable to fire ammunition that is fired by an actualfirearm. Certain embodiments of simulated firearm 10 may provide anadvantage in that simulated firearm 10 may be unable to cause injury orharm.

In one embodiment, simulated firearm 10 has a housing 20 that includescomponents similar to those of an actual firearm. In one embodiment,housing 20 may include a scope 30, a sight 34, a stock 38, a lowerreceiver 42, a trigger 46, a magazine 54, a barrel 50, a sonicsuppressor 58, and a flash suppressor (not shown). In one embodiment,certain components may be configured as detachable firearm attachments,such as scope 30, lower receiver 42, magazine 54, sonic suppressor 58,and a flash suppressor.

FIG. 2 illustrates embodiments of a triggering mechanism 60 and amultiple integrated laser engagement (MILES) device 62 that may be usedwith simulated firearm 10 of FIG. 1. Triggering mechanism 60 initiates asimulated firing of simulated firearm 10. In one embodiment, trigger 46may be activated, such as pulled, to generate a trigger signal thatinitiates a simulated firing of simulated firearm 10. Triggeringmechanism 60 is described in more detail with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 illustrates a more detailed view of the triggering mechanism 60of FIG. 2. In the embodiment, triggering mechanism 60 includes atransmitter switch 80, a magazine switch 84, and a pneumatic device 88coupled as shown. In response to activation of trigger 46, transmitterswitch 80 provides a trigger signal, which in turn activates magazineswitch 84. Activation of magazine switch 84 activates pneumatic device88, which releases compressed gas. In one embodiment, the release ofcompressed gas constitutes a triggering event that initiates MILESdevice 62. In another embodiment, the trigger signal itself constitutesa triggering event.

Referring back to FIG. 2, MILES device 62 emits a MILES signal thatrepresents a bullet fired from the actual firearm, and may emit thesignal in response to detecting a triggering event. A MILES signal maybe a line-of-sight type signal, such as an infrared signal emitted froma light emitting diode (LED) or laser. The MILES signal may carryinformation about the shooter, firearm, and/or ammunition simulated bysimulated firearm 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, MILES device 62 includes a triggeringevent detector 66, a processing circuit 70, a programmable interface 74,and a transmitter 78. Triggering event detector 66 detects a triggeringevent that indicates that trigger 46 has been activated and hasgenerated a trigger signal. In one embodiment, the triggering event maybe release of compressed air by a pneumatic device in response to atrigger signal. In another embodiment, the triggering event may be thetrigger signal itself.

Processing circuit 70 manages the operation of MILES device 62, and mayinstruct transmitter 78 to emit a MILES signal in response to triggeringevent detector 66 detecting a triggering event. Processing circuit 70may control features of MILES device 62 to simulate characteristics ofone or more actual firearms. Features that may be controlled may includethe signal strength, speed at which signals are fired, and/or the numberof signals that may be fired after the trigger is activated, in acertain time period, or after reloading. Simulated characteristics mayinclude the ammunition type and caliber, firing speed, or magazinecapacity. Processing circuit 70 may track the number of simulatedfirings after the trigger is pulled, during a certain time period,and/or after reloading.

Programmable interface 74 may be used to program and/or upgrade softwareexecuted by processing circuit 70. For example, programmable interface74 may receive an instruction to program software to have simulatedfirearm 10 simulate a particular type of actual firearm. Programmableinterface 74 may also be used to load weapon and/or user identifiercodes. Programmable interface 74 may be any suitable interface, such asa universal serial bus (USB) interface.

Transmitter 78 transmits the MILES signal. Transmitter 78 may be anysuitable transmitter configured to transmit a MILES signal, such as alight emitting diode or a laser. Transmitter 78 may be placed anywhereon or within an suitable component of simulated firearm 10. In theillustrated embodiment, transmitter 78 is configured in sonic suppressor58.

One or more components of MILES device 62 may be disposed within or onone or more components of simulated firearm 10 in any suitable manner.In one embodiment, triggering event detector 66, processing circuit 70,and programmable interface 74 may form a MILES circuit portion 76configured within or on one component, and transmitter 78 may beconfigured within or on another component.

In one embodiment, MILES device 62 is disposed within one or morecomponents of simulated firearm 10 to preserve the appearance ofsimulated firearm 10 as an actual firearm. MILES device 62 may bedisposed within a firearm attachment to allow for interchangeabilitywith other commercial off the shelf simulated firearms.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate one embodiment of MILES device 62 configuredwithin sonic suppressor 58 of simulated firearm 10. MILES device 62includes circuit portion 76 and transmitter 78. Circuit portion 76 isdisposed within the muzzle of sonic suppressor 58, closer towards barrel50. In the illustrated example, circuit portion 76 is temporarilyremoved from sonic suppressor 58 for explanatory purposes only.Transmitter 78 is disposed within sonic suppressor 58, farther away frombarrel 50.

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C illustrate another embodiment of a MILES device 62configured within a flash suppressor 110 of a simulated firearm 10.Flash suppressor 110 reduces the visibility of a muzzle flash thatoccurs upon firing. MILES device 62 includes circuit portion 76 andtransmitter 78. Circuit portion 76 is disposed within the muzzle onflash suppressor 110, closer towards barrel 50. Transmitter 78 isdisposed within the muzzle of flash suppressor 110, farther away frombarrel 50. Screws 114 may facilitate attachment of MILES device 62 toand removal MILES device 62 from flash suppressor 110.

Flash suppressor 110 may be mounted to simulated firearm 10 using anysuitable coupling, such as screws, bolts, lugs, or threaded aperture. Inthis particular embodiment, flash suppressor 110 is configured with lugs118 used to couple flash suppressor 110 to simulated firearm 10.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate another embodiment of MILES device 62configured within a simulated firearm 122 that simulates an actualhandgun. Simulated firearm 122 is shown in a disassembled state in orderto show MILES device 62. In the illustrated embodiment, simulatedfirearm 122 includes a lower receiver 42 and an upper receiver 126.MILES device 62 includes circuit portion 76 and transmitter 78. A firstportion of circuit portion 76 is disposed within lower receiver 42, anda second portion of circuit portion 76 and transmitter 78 are disposedwithin upper receiver 126. In one embodiment, the first portioncomprises programmable interface 74, and the second portion comprisestriggering event detector 66 and processing circuit 70.

Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to simulated firearm10 without departing from the scope of the invention. The components ofsimulated firearm 10 may be integrated or separated. Moreover, theoperations of simulated firearm 10 may be performed by more, fewer, orother components. For example, the operations of circuit portion 76 andtransmitter 78 may be performed by one component, or the operations ofcircuit portion 76 may be performed by more than one component.Additionally, operations of simulated firearm 10 may be performed usingany suitable logic comprising software, hardware, and/or other logic. Asused in this document, “each” refers to each member of a set or eachmember of a subset of a set.

Certain embodiments of the invention may provide one or more technicaladvantages. A technical advantage of one embodiment may be that asimulated firearm has a MILES device that emits a MILES signalrepresenting a bullet. The MILES device is integrated into the simulatedfirearm.

Although several embodiments have been illustrated and described indetail, it will be recognized that substitutions and alterations arepossible without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention, as defined by the following claims.

1. An apparatus that simulates a firearm, the apparatus comprising: asimulated firearm housing configured to simulate the appearance of anactual firearm; and a multiple integrated laser engagement system(MILES) device housed in the simulated firearm housing, the MILES deviceintegrated within the simulated firearm housing and comprising: a MILEScircuit portion configured to detect a triggering event; and atransmitter configured to transmit a MILES signal in response to thetriggering event, the MILES signal representing a bullet fired from theactual firearm.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: apneumatic device coupled to the MILES device and configured to releasecompressed air in response to a trigger signal.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, the MILES device further configured to detect the triggeringevent by: detecting that a pneumatic device has released compressed air.4. The apparatus of claim 1, the MILES device further configured todetect the triggering event by: detecting a trigger signal.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, the MILES device configured within a firearmattachment.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, the MILES device configuredwithin a sonic suppressor.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, the MILES deviceconfigured within a flash suppressor.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, theMILES device further comprising: a programmable interface configured toreceive an instruction to program software executed by the MILES circuitportion to simulate the actual firearm.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, theMILES circuit portion configured within a handgun lower receiver, thetransmitter configured within a handgun upper receiver.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, the actual firearm selected from the groupconsisting of a Maschinenpistole 5 (MP5), an

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(AK-47), a Heckler & Koch GmbH G3, a Messier 92 (M92), and a handgun.11. An apparatus that simulates a firearm, the apparatus comprising: asimulated firearm housing configured to simulate the appearance of anactual sub-machine gun, the simulated firearm housing comprising adetachable firearm attachment; and a multiple integrated laserengagement system (MILES) device housed in the simulated firearmhousing, the MILES device integrated within the simulated firearmhousing and comprising: a MILES circuit portion configured to detect atriggering event; and a transmitter configured to transmit a MILESsignal in response to the triggering event, the MILES signalrepresenting a bullet fired from the actual sub-machine gun.
 12. Theapparatus of claim 11, further comprising: a pneumatic device coupled tothe MILES device and configured to release compressed air in response toa trigger signal.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, the MILES devicefurther configured to detect the triggering event by: detecting that apneumatic device has released compressed air.
 14. The apparatus of claim11, the MILES device further configured to detect the triggering eventby: detecting a trigger signal.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, thefirearm attachment comprising a sonic suppressor.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 11, the firearm attachment comprising a flash suppressor.
 17. Theapparatus of claim 11, the MILES device further comprising: aprogrammable interface configured to receive an instruction to programsoftware executed by the MILES circuit portion to simulate the actualfirearm.
 18. An apparatus that simulates a firearm, the apparatuscomprising: a simulated firearm housing configured to simulate theappearance of an actual handgun, the simulated firearm housingcomprising a handgun lower receiver and a handgun upper receiver; and amultiple integrated laser engagement system (MILES) device housed in thesimulated firearm housing, the MILES device integrated within thesimulated firearm housing and comprising: a MILES circuit portionconfigured to detect a triggering event, the MILES circuit portionconfigured within the handgun lower receiver; and a transmitterconfigured to transmit a MILES signal in response to the triggeringevent, the transmitter configured within the handgun upper receiver, theMILES signal representing a bullet fired from the actual firearm. 19.The apparatus of claim 18, the MILES device further configured to detectthe triggering event by: detecting a trigger signal.
 20. The apparatusof claim 18, the MILES device further comprising: a programmableinterface configured to receive an instruction to program softwareexecuted by the MILES circuit portion to simulate the actual firearm.